ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

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2809 SOUTH CARROLLTON AVENUB

NEW ORLBANS 18. LOUISIANA

Consecration of Sermon by Most Rev. Robert E. Tracy, D. D., Most Rev. Joseph F. Rummel, S. T. D., Bishop Auxiliary of Lafayette Archbishop of New Orleans May 19, 1959 St. Louis Cathedral - New Orleans

lilt is the Duty of a Bishop to judge, interpret, consecrate, ordain, offer, baptize and confirm. "

(Introductory note to the Ceremony of Consecration of a priest to the Episcopate. )

As the Ordinary of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, it is my duty and

privilege to extend an expression of profound gratitude to His Excellency

Most Reverend Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, newly appointed Apostolic

Delegate to the United States, who has so graciously consented to honor

our Archdiocese as well as one of our outstanding priests by officiating

as principal Consecrator at the latter1s episcopal consecration. To these

sentiments of appreciation~ expressed in the name of the clergy, the

religious and the laity of the Archdiocese, we add our warme st felicitations

upon His Excellency1s appointment to the exalted office of representative

of the Holy See in the United States, giving him the pledge of our sincerest

reverence and cooperation, supported by our fervent prayers for a happy

and propitious so-journ amongst us. ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS -2­

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2809 SOU~R CA .... OLLTON AVENUB NBW ORLEAN. 18. LOUISIANA

May we also extend a cordial greeting to the Most Reverend

members of the hierarchy, the Right Reverend Abbots and the Right

Reverend, Very Reverend and Reverend members of the Clergy who

are gracing this auspicious occasion by their pre sence. To the

representatives of our civil authorities of our State and of our City

we also extend a hearty greeting and genuine welcome. Felicitations

as well as sincere greetings are offered to the relatives of Bishop

Tracy, especially Sister Mary Roberta of the Sisters of Mercy, and

to his many personal friends. We pray that all here present may

experience great joy as well as edification in the solemn function of

Consecration and that our united prayers may bring to His Excellency

the fullest abundance of divine grace for a long and fruitful life in the

apostolic ministry.

Based upon the relationship between Christ and the Apostles, as

outlined in the writings of the Evangelists and other inspired authors

of the New Testament, the doctrine of the Church regarding the

episcopal office presents a tradition which is ancient, constant and

profoundly impressive. The dignity and responsibility of this office

are manifold and of suoh vital importance that they affect the very

existence, vitality and progress of the Church. With that remarkable ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

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Nsw ORL8AN8 18 . LOUISIANA -3­

wisdom, which is characteristic of her liturgy, the Church has

woven into the ceremony of Episcopal Consecration a mosaic

composition of the dignity, functions and responsibilities which

make this ceremony eminently beautiful, spiritually sublime and

extremely rich in doctrinal significance.

In an introductory ceremony the Church manifests her solicitude

about the personal character of the candidate and his qualifications

for his responsibility as spiritual leader and teacher of religious and

moral truth. Herein Holy Church emphasizes not only the fact that

teaching the flock of Christ is an integral part of the apostolic ministry

with which the Bishop is entrusted, but she also gives evidence of her

solicitude concerning the firmness of the Bishopts faith, his ability to

teach and demonstrate it by his example, with emphasis upon his

loyalty to the successor of the Vicar of Christ in the person of the

reigning Pontiff and his successors in office.

Integrated with the solemnity of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the

liturgy of Episcopal Consecration reveals and develope s the sublime

dignity and the awe-inspiring responsibility which constitute the Bishop

a living custodian and exponent of the sacred ministry which Christ had

bestowed upon His Apostles. ARCHDIOCBSE OP NBw ORLBANS

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Before the chanting of the Gospel of the Mass the choir invites

the presence of the heavenly court and invokes the intercession of

the angels and saints of God for divine assistance which the Con­

secrating Prelate concludes with the plea that God may vouchsafe

to "bles S;p and sanctify and consecrate this elect here present" as

thrice he makes over him in benediction the sign of the Crosso

Immediately after the chanting of the Litany, the Consecrating

Prelate, with the assistance of the Co-Consecrators, places the

open Book of the Gospels upon the neck and shoulders of the Bishop-

Elect, so that the text touches his body; then the three Prelates

beginning with the Consecrator impose their hands successively upon

the head of the Bishop-Elect, reciting individually the solemn form:

"Receive the Holy Spirit"o This vital ceremony, combined with the

Preface of Consecration which the Co-Consecrators recite while the

Consecrator chants it solemnly, constitutes the essential m atter and form of

Episcopal Consecration.

As in her liturgy the Church is ever mindful of the need and value

of the intercessory power of the heavenly courts, so she never fails

in her greatest functions to implore the light, guidance and strength ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

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of the Spirit.. before continuing series of s:#,

Consecrator intones the Hynm of the Holy Spirit.. While this

chant s out from the sanctuary to throneJ

the solemnly s with Chrism the head

of the Bishop fervently that the ointment may flow down

upon countenance and sanctify entire so that he may be

inwardly and by the

constant love and sincere abound I ..

the he anoints palms of hands of Bishop

and prays once more: "Whatsoever thou shalt s 8t may it be ssed;

and whatsoever shall may may the

imposition of this consecrated hand or thumb profitable in all things

unto II

Then in se succes are bles and be the

staff as symbol of authority and judgment to be exercised with

and without dis '-.."" t--'"",,LA..Lv and the

as the symbol the fidelity must

the Church, Spouse of st:l and Bishop; the

of is rred from the and s to the crown ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

ARCHBISHOP'S RESIDBNCB

2809 SOUTH CARROLLTON AVBNUB NBW ORLEANS 18. LO U I S IANA -6­

of the head of the Bishop as the symbol of his authority and duty to

teach with fidelity the divine truth to the people committed to his

careo

Two more symbolic blessings take place just before the end of

the Mass of Consecratiollo The mitre is blessed and imposed upon

the newly consecrated Bishop as a helmet and symbo,l of defense and

salvation "s0 that he may prove himself a formidable adversary to

the opponents of truth".. The gloves are blessed and placed on his

hands, so that the newly consecrated prelate may see in them the

pledge of paternal benediction that stems from the merits of Christ

Jesus our Lord.

Impressive indeed are these external ceremonies of Consecration,

but even more deserving of our admiration and reverence is the

spiritual transformation which they effect in the soul of him whom Holy

Mother Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit;t has chosen for

the episcopal office. Through these beautiful symbolisms, directed

by the prayers of the liturgy and the intentions of the Consecrating

Prelates, the very being of the Bishop is elevated to the full stature

of the apostolic dignity, including the power to rule, the authority

to teach and the exercise of the ministry of sanctificationo ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

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In the tenns of the liturgy lilt is the duty of a to and

clearly indicates con-

He ssed to the

I say to you" whatever you bind on bound also in heaven;

and whatever you loose on in II

This power to govern that concern the

the moral and the social member 8 of the Mystical Body

of Christ; it is a power derived the

responsibility of ac the mediation

of the Church alone.. - Wisdom, and justice must shine forth

in its administration) and

From his Conse comes entrusted with the

mandate and duty to all and for all time: "All

power in and to me. Go, therefore,

and make disciples of them in the name of the

Father, and of the them to observe

all I have I am with you all days}' (Matt.. xxviii" 18- 20) even unto the world.. II

re 8 no geographic

discriminations, implies

only one r to matter may be taught, namely it must ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

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2809 SOU'lH CARROLLTON AV1!NUB

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truth - the truth that shall make men free - "If you abide in my

word~ you shall be my disciples indeed, and you shall know the

truthJ and the truth shall make you free o " (John viii, 31-32)

This interpretation of the ministry of teaching, the Church has

vindicated for herself down through the ages. It is of vital

importance in these our times, when there prevails throughout the

world so much confusion in philosophic thinking as applied to the

very existence of God, the character and mission of Christ, the

origin, nature and destiny of man and a multitude of moral respon­

sibilitieso Firmly, consistently and constantly has the Church

through the vigilance of the successive Vicars of Christ, inspired her

Bishops with the cooperation of a zealous clergy to carryon this

ministry of teaching, often under the stress of sacrifice.

Broad and varied is the ministry of sanctification., which the

ceremony of Consecration confers upon the Bishop• EiI!/st.. His consecrated hands and his power of Consecration and Ordination serve

to perpetuate the apostolic succes sion and the sacerdotal ministry in

the Church of God to the end of time~ his participation with Christ

in the sanrificial oblation guarantees the continuity of the Eucharistic ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

ARCHBISHOP'S RESIDENCE

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Presence and its efficacy in the remotest corners of the world; his

solicitude for making available the grace- giving Sacraments is a

pledge of sanctification to all men of good will; the hallowing touch

of his blessing or consecration creates the atmosphere of holiness

for churches and shrines, convents and schools" for everything that

is set apart for the honor and glory of God and for the sanctification

of human souls..

Such;, then, is the threefold ministry which the liturgy of Episcopal

Consecration epitomizes. in its introductory text: lilt is the duty of a

Bishop to judge.l interpret, consecrate, ordain~ offer! baptize and

confirm"" Such are the dignity and the powers, the rights and the duties,

the works and the opportunities which to'day have been conferred and

entrusted to you, venerable and beloved Bishop Tracy. Your election

to this high office by Holy Mother Church is in itself the pledge that

Godts grace will not be wanting to you, the grace that will enable Your

Excellency to carry the dignity with honor, to discharge every phase of

your ministry with holy zeal and generosity of soul and to labor for the

establishment of Christ1s kingdom in the hearts of men with meritorious

success. May your years of service by many, may they be abundantly ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

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fruitful; may they be increasingly happy! May the angelic choirs

one day greet you with the beautiful hymn: "5acerdos et Pontifex

et virtutum opifexJ Pastor bone in populo sic placuisti Domino" ­

"Priest and Bishop, Pursuer of virtues, good shepherd among the

peopleJ thus didst thou please the Lord. ~I ICHDIOCESE 01' NEW ORLEANS

ARCHBISHOP'S R88IDBNC!

2809 SOUTH CAl.aOLLTON AVENUI Nnw OIlLEANS 1B, LOUISIANA

Golden Jubilee of Prie sthood Solemn Pontifical Mass Thirty-fifth Anniversary of Consecration November 121 1959

Mo st Rev. Richard O. Gerowll S. T. Do .I Sermon ­

Bishop of Natchez- Jackson Most Rev. Joso F. Rummel,SoT.D. 1 Archbishop of New Orleans

"THE LORD MADE TO HIM A COVENANT OF

PEACE, AND MADE HIM A PRINCE; THAT

THE DIGNITY OF PRIESTHOOD SHOULD BE

TO HIM FOREVER. II (Ecclus. 45, 30)

Your Excellency, Most Reverend Bishop Gerow, our beloved

Jubilarian, Your Excellency, Most Reverend Archbishop Vagnozzi,

Apostolic Delegate of His Holiness Pope John XXIII to the U. S. A.,

Most Reverend Archbishops and Bishops, Right Reverend Fathers

Abbot, Right Reverend and Very Reverend Monsignori, Very Reverend

and Reverend Fathers, Reverend Religious Brothers and Sisters,

distinguished guests and beloved members of the laity, Catholic and

non- Catholic friends.

By the grace and favor of God, it is our privilege and honor to

participate today in an event which has all the characteristics of

historic significance. Fifty years in the life of a consecrated servant

of God, upon whose soul has been imprinted the character of the sacred /.RCHDIOCI!SI! OF Nl!w ORLI!ANS

ARCHBISHOP'S RESIDENCII 2809 SOUTH CARROLLTON AVENUB -2­ NEW ORLEANI 18, LOUISIANA

priesthood~ transcends the realm:Jf personal importance and elevates

him into the sphere of historic influence and efficacy..

The priest of God is vested in a dignity which constitutes him a

leader of men, a sharer in the mission and powers entrusted by Christ~

the Eternal Son of God to His apostles" a participant in the eternal

priesthood of the same Jesus Christ, the High Priest EternalQ His IS

the privilege of standing at the baptismal fount to infuse the saving

water and utter the powerful words that cleanse the soul from the taint

of sin and incorporate it into the family of God: ".0. co baptizing them in

the name of the Fatherl and of the Son and of the Holy Spirito II It is the (Matt. XXVIII, 19) priestls awe-inspiring prerogative tn exercise the ministry of divine mercy

in the tribunal of penance: "Whose sins you shall forgive;, they are forgiven

them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. II Who will count (John xx, 23) the miracles of grace that are wrought in the souls of men within the

enclosure of the confessional!

In the pulpit, on the rostrum,i on the classroom platform it is the

priestts responsibility to promulgate the truth and make known to all the

world the way of life~ that is the key to human dignity,. peace and happiness

in time and in eternity. Speaking as he does under the mandate of Christ,

Who proclaimed Himself "the Way., the Truth and the Life", there can be AIWHDIOCBSB OF NBW OaLBANS ARCHBISHOP'S R68J.DENCll -3­ 2809 SOUTll CAI\I\OLLTON AVENUE New O"LIIAIU 18. LOUISIANA

sensed res over the priest's voice an echo the reas

"He who s you" s me; and who rejects you, rejects

me; and he who rejects me, cts him who sent me" II (Luke x, 16)

But where the prie character reaches stature of super­

natural pre- and n ..... n'''''... is at the in

Holy the Mass he is l.numd. associated with Christ Jesus

Priest Eternal, in the exercise of the

power of Clld.ng bread and wine into and the Soul and

the of the Eternal Son of In this the human

priest is one with Chri becomes in the words St..

stll" as he renews in a mystical manner on

the Cross for salvation of rnd.nKl in this sacred the st

becomes the dispenser to devout of Sacred Body and Blood which

are meat and drink the and the

of and promise of resurre on the last day..

T it it an event of historic

when a st of God has se s

power s for a period of years, when a consecrated servant God has

for half a century been a source spiritual influence and strength to

when a man of and holine s s consi '\RCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS ARCHB1SHOP'S RES1DHNCE -4­ 2809 SOUTH CARROLLTON AVENUE Nnw ORLEANS 16, LOUIS'ANA

for five long decades of years all his talents" sand

resources:\, and supernatura4 to the spiritual, and

of his fellowmen, for no earthly recompense but

for the of Lord I Truly:. he has become a historic

in and supernatural power

the Christ Who over 1900 years

of the Mysteries of the Incarnation

event upon which todayts festivities converge draws

thirty-five of the fifty years of our

in sthood have been hallowed by the unction,

power of apostolic ministry of the opal

in st years Reverend Richard Oliver

central ctionate attentions~ was charged progres

re Curate at the Cathedral:\' Diocesan

and Rector of his native diocese of Mobile.. Such were

his s success that in the fifteenth year of his

priesthood in June, 1924~ to appoint him

Bishop in succes Bi John Eo S.M..

traces in Mis sissippi as ',RCHDIOCRSI! OF NEW OIUI!ANS

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as 1528, san was not

1841, when Most Reverend Joseph became the first

Bishop of Natchez" To minister to a few s of

s concentrated in NatchezJ and some on

plus a number of vd.UlU d..I.!l.Ll..LeS s and

the Bishop had at his dispo two priests and not a

church in an area 46, 000 square miles and a total esti­

mated at 400, 000. The mis acter se s

indicate over se Bi Gerow took over

its d.Urnlnl in 1924;j! notwithstanding fact that the Catholic

then totaled 31,264, the number of diocesan and

sts 63, of churches and mission 1 the

number of children in Catholic schools 6,407 - This represented the

owth under SIX over a 83

years" were the sand under which they

labored:t including epidemics of yellow fever.. the of

pe the problems associated War Between

States" the Reconstruction and not a and ce

in certain areas.. And Catholicity had moved steadily and

This pr ss has become even more the

years our jubilarian1s administration when the stical figures ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

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just have been doubled.. to the 19

the Mis ssippi at over 62~ 000,

the number diocesan and religious sts at 179, the number of

churches and sion at 17 the number of in

Sl,;UVVJ. at 13, 838.. ( on was added to the )0

Many and varied cumstances have undoubtedly contributed to se

marvelous s of Catholicity in the Diocese of Natchez- much

zeal r sand

sand re of ..-_____ were

the leadership and spiritual energy the apostolic Bishop who thirty-five years

today, in loyal to Vicar of Christ;t as the of

with in the God: liThe made to him a covenant

of and him a the dignity of sthood should be to

him forever.. II 45:1' 30)

se and Une-ndJ..l s sour

indeed exerci his episcopal responsibilities with consistency:!, firmness

and perseverance" How manifold are s of a Bi is

in a but s statement s in

the consecrating prelate addresses to a shop- ct

of "A with the duty

to cons r" and II

these s and the responsibilities which Ar:CHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

ARCHBISHOP'S ReslDBNcB

2809 SOUTH CARROLLTON Av BNUB N B W ORLBANS 18, LOUISIANA -7­

they entail would indeed be beyond the limitation of mere human power.

It is for this reason that Holy Mother Church invokes upon her Bishops

the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of the ever Blessed

Mother of God, the angelic choirs and the Saints of God, that the

consecrating prelate anoints the head and hands of the new Bishop with

holy chrisml' praying that the Sacred unction may flow down upon his

countenance and permeate his bodyo As symbols of his authority and

jurisdiction the Church blesses and crowns his brow with the sacred mitre ~

places in his hand the crozier and adorns his finger with the bles sed ring~

the token of enduring loyalty to Christ and the Church.

Bishop Gerow's administration has been characterized not only by

his zeal and efficiency, but also by the wisdom, prudencel' justice and

charity which Holy Mother Church exhorts her Bishops to exercise.. His

paternal affection endears him to the children and youthful members of his

flock; his kindness and solicitude for the welfare of the family make his name

a cherished by-word in every home; his sympathetic understanding of

their problems makes him the trusted counsellor and guide of his clergy;

his courtesy and geniality win for him the respect and confidence of non-

Catholics and Catholics alike; his keen interest in problems of civic

welfare prompts public officials to welcome him to their deliberations

and counselso These and many other qualities, natural and supernaturall' I .>'ICHDIOCESE OP NEW ORLEANS

ARCHBISHOP'S RSSIDBNCB 2809 SOUTH CARROLLTON AVBNUB -8­ Now ORLBAN8 18, LOUISIANA

have contributed to the extraordinary success of Bishop Gerow1s

administration, to expand his spiritual, cultural and social influence to

the confines of his vast jurisdiction and to win for him the esteem~

admiration and affection of his venerable brothers in the Hierarchy" To

those unhappy souls who sometimes delight in directing their venomous

prejudices against the Church by charging her hierarchy with being

ambitious for power, dictatorial in their exactions and devoid of humane

consideration, Bishop Gerow certainly stands out as a prelate who

tempers justice with mercy, exercises power with prudence, displays

wisdom with humility and enobles every thought, word and action with

the charity of Christo

Many, then, are the reasons for rejoicing with our Most Reverend

Jubilarian on this day of happy memories, many the reasons for rendering

thanks to Almighty God for having blessed so abundantly the Diocese of

Natchez-Jackson through the untiring zeal of this noble prelate, whose

very character and personal qualities have been sources of edification

and inspiration to all who have corne within the radius of his beneficent

influence" In him the Lord hath indeed fulfilled His covenant of peace

and made him a prince among menJ) radiant with princely attributes and

endowed with all the supernatural power s of the priesthood, yet gifted

with the gentleness of the true shepherd of souls and the meekness and

humility of the Savior Himselfoo " "Learn from me, for I am meek and

humble of heart" II (Matt" xi, 29) ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

ARCHBISHOP'S RSSIDENCB

2809 SOUTH CARROLLTON AVBNUB -9­ NBW ORLBAN. 18. LOUISIANA

May we, then, congratulate you, dear Bishop Gerow, upon the

bles sings that have attended the fifty years of your prie stly life and

felicitate you upon the many achievements of your thirty-five year s

of zealous labor in the episcopal office. The Holy Father has

expressed eloquently in a personal message the appreciation of the

Universal Church; the presence of His Excellency, the Most Reverend

Apostolic Delegate) and of so many other members of the hierarchy

attest their reverence and fraternal affection for you; the many prayers

and other acts of piety offered for Your Excellency by the ClergYJ the

Religious and the laity of the Diocese attest their devotion and gratitude

to you and for you; ever so many messages of felicitation from non-

Catholic friends and admirers attest the prestige which you enjoy

universally throughout this great State of Mississippi - may all these

tributes be woven into wreaths of prayer, whose beauty and fragrance

may find acceptance in the Heart of Jesus Christ, the Priest Eternal,

prompting Him to spare you in our midst for many years as a prince of

peace in whom the dignity and rewards of prie sthood should abide forever.